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Winemaker's Notes:

In this vintage to be remembered, about two-thirds of the grapes were sourced from the cool Central Coast region of California, where early spring rains led to a bit of Noble Rot in just enough grape bunches to add a touch of complexity and richness to the wine. Tangerine, mango and clean aromas of orange spice join with pineapple, baked pears and hints of tell-tale cinnamon, common to Gewürztraminer. This wine can be zesty, and flavors of clove, orange and caramelized apples come to the fore.

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Fetzer Vineyards:
Fetzer Vineyards was founded in 1968 in beautiful Mendocino County by Barney and Kathleen Fetzer. One of the first California wineries to branch out into serious Chardonnay production, Fetzer remains committed to sustainability and environmentally conscious wine production. Dennis Martin oversees all wine-making at Fetzer and is assisted by Charlie Gilmore and Michael Chupp, who are in charge of white wine making and red wine making respectively.

Member Reviews for Fetzer Gewürztraminer California Valley Oaks

Interesting - incredible nose - very earthy - barnyard like in a good way , initial smell of heavy fruits like plums and deep black cherry - dry, smooth, lingering finish - for certain needs time to decant - it has been over an hour and it is getting better - very smooth - will come back and update when some time has gone by - we have another bottle and I will decant it for some time before drinking - this is meant to drink on the colder side - getting much better in
hour 2 - decant and wait at least 2 hours - refrigerate and leave out till you like the temp - it is now about 4 hours decanted and chilled - this is read more...a no miss wine - it was a gift and I could not be happier - just have to find it now

I had this with dinner a few weeks ago. Overall this is an OK wine. There were good citrus flavors as well as some tropical fruit, but for me it was a bit too grassy. I know the southern hemisphere produces a lot of grassy SB, but I have had some from this region (Casablanca Valley) that were not quite so overpowering.

External Reviews for Fetzer Gewürztraminer California Valley Oaks

Source: Premium Wine & Spirits

01/03/2012

When Chacirc;teauneuf-du-Pape became Francersquo;s first AOC, in 1936, Vieux Teacute;leacute;graphe had already been in operation for nearly 40 years. Today, brothers Daniel and Freacute;deacute;ric Brunier farm the domainrsquo;s 173 acres located in the appellationrsquo;s famed La Crau sector. The wine is a blend of 65 percent Grenache with 15 percent each of Syrah and Mourveacute;dre and a dash of Cinsault, Clairette and others, all sourced from vines averaging 60 years of age.

The 2006 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape, which is aged only in foudre and bottled with minimal clarification, is a more masculine, muscular effort than most 2006s. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by notions of the sushi seaweed wrapper, nori, interwoven with incense, lavender, pepper, and copious quantities of black cherry and raspberry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with moderate tannin, and good structure as well as depth, it will benefit from 3andndash;4 years of bottle age, and should keep for 15 or more years.

A very grippy style, with lots of sweet tapenade, tobacco, hot stone and braised chestnut notes weaving through a core of dark currant and fig fruit. There’s a nice twinge of lavender on the structured finish. For the cellar. Best from 2010 through 2028.

When Châteauneuf-du-Pape became France's first AOC, in 1936, Vieux Télégraphe had already been in operation for nearly 40 years. Today, brothers Daniel and Frédéric Brunier farm the domain's 173 acres located in the appellation's famed La Crau sector. The wine is a blend of 65 percent Grenache with 15 percent each of Syrah and Mourvédre and a dash of Cinsault, Clairette and others, all sourced from vines averaging 60 years of age.

Vivid red. Highly complex bouquet of raspberry, dried cherry, garrigue and flowers. Exotic apricot and floral honey notes come up with air and carry onto the palate, which shows sweet red fruit flavors, a smoky quality and a velvety texture. This elegant wine is already putting on a seductive show. Finishes smooth, juicy and very long. The juice that goes into this cuvée comes from vines that are at least 50 years of age, with the blend featuring 65% grenache, 15% each of syrah and mourvédre, and 5% cinsault and “divers.”

The 2007 Vieux Télégraphe may be the greatest wine made at this property since the 2005 and 1998. Dense ruby/purple-tinged with an exquisite nose of salty sea breezes, licorice, ground pepper, jammy black cherries, black currants, figs, and plums, this is a full-bodied, rich, Provençal-styled offering with lots of sweet, ripe tannin. It is surprisingly accessible for a Vieux Télégraphe (this wine normally shuts down several years after bottling), but it should have great longevity (25+ years) given its power, full-bodied mouthfeel, and enormous length and richness. This is a brilliant effort form brothers Frédéric and Daniel Brunier.